Dual Depth Airbag with Active Venting for Occupant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable airbag systems face challenges in providing optimal cushioning for occupants who are out of position or small, as existing systems lack effective mechanisms to vent inflation gases and adjust deployment configurations accordingly.
Innovation Solution
The airbag assembly incorporates closeable vents, airbag height and depth restraining tethers, release devices, and seat-rail sensors to deploy in multiple configurations, allowing for gas venting and optimal cushioning by adjusting tether tension and vent state based on occupant position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag is inflated to full volume for maximum protection, then the protective capability is improved, but the risk of injury to out-of-position or small occupants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system dynamically adjusts its inflation state by transitioning between fully inflated and deflated configurations based on detected occupant position. The system uses sensors to detect whether an occupant is present and properly positioned, then selectively deploys the airbag to a first configuration (fully inflated) or second configuration (deflated) to optimize protection while minimizing injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of airbag volume by controlling the venting of inflation gas. When an out-of-position or small occupant is detected, the system opens vents to release gas from the airbag, reducing its volume and cushioning force to appropriate levels for the occupant size and position.
2Device complexity
If the airbag uses a single deployment configuration, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different occupant positions and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly incorporates multiple deployment configurations (first and second configurations) that allow the airbag to adapt its shape and volume based on occupant detection. The system dynamically transitions between these configurations using venting mechanisms and restraining tethers to provide optimal protection for different occupant scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag membrane is divided into multiple panels (head portion, torso portion, lap portion) that can be selectively restrained or allowed to deploy independently. This segmentation allows different portions of the airbag to assume different configurations based on occupant position, enabling adaptability while managing system complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the airbag deploys to a deeper configuration for better coverage, then the protective coverage is improved, but the risk of interfering with small or out-of-position occupants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system uses depth restraining tethers that can be selectively released to control the deployment depth of the airbag. When a small or out-of-position occupant is detected, the tethers remain engaged to limit airbag expansion to a shallower second configuration. When no such occupant is present, the tethers are released allowing full deployment to the deeper first configuration for maximum coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device for electronic communication with a sensor in a vehicle. The cushion assumes two different configurations depending on the occupant's position. The configurations are achieved via tethers along with closeable vent(s) to control cushion pressure.